Clean Rides, Healthy Lives: The Impact of Electric Vehicle Adoption on Air Quality and Infant Health

Cavit Baran, Janet Currie, Bahadõr Dursun and Erdal Tekin
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Cavit Baran: Sabancõ University
Janet Currie: Yale University and NBER
Bahadõr Dursun: Newcastle University and IZA
Erdal Tekin: American University, IZA, and NBER

No 2486, Cowles Foundation Discussion Papers from Cowles Foundation for Research in Economics, Yale University

Abstract: This paper provides the first nationwide U.S. evidence on the effects of electric vehicle (EV) adoption on air quality and child health. Using county-level data from 2010-2021, we link EV registrations to air pollution, birth outcomes, and emergency department visits. Endogenous adoption is addressed using two-way fixed effects and an instrumental variables strategy exploiting the rollout of federally designated Alternative Fuel Corridors. Greater EV adoption significantly lowers nitrogen dioxide and improves infant and child health, reducing very low birth weight, prematurity, and asthma-related emergency visits. The largest health gains occur in high-pollution areas and exceed $1.2-$4.0 billion annually.

Pages: 71 pages
Date: 2026-01-01
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